American Idol OFFICIALLY announces the American Idols who will appear on the April 7 finale. Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson will BOTH perform. Kelly, on the verge of delivering a baby son in a few weeks, won’t be there in person. But she did pre-tape a highly emotional medley of all her greatest hits a few weeks ago when she appeared on Idol as guest judge.
Carrie will be there live, and the night will also feature a slew of Idol alum that include “all-star performances” by Ruben Studdard, Fantasia, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze, Scotty McCreery, Candice Glover, Caleb Johnson, Nick Fradiani, Ace Young, Allison Iraheta, Amber Holcomb, Blake Lewis, Bo Bice, Brandon Rogers, Bucky Covington, Carly Smithson, Casey James, Chris Daughtry, Clark Beckham, Clay Aiken, Colton Dixon, Constantine Maroulis, Danny Gokey, Diana DeGarmo, Elliott Yamin, George Huff, James Durbin, Jessica Sanchez, Josh Gracin, Joshua Ledet, Justin Guarini, Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Kimberley Locke, Kree Harrison, LaToya London, Lauren Alaina, Melinda Doolittle, Pia Toscano, Sanjaya, Skylar Laine, Tamyra Gray and more, before host Ryan Seacrest announces the results of America’s votes and the final Idol winner is crowned.
Every winner will be represented, except for Phillip Phillips who took legal action against 19 Entertainment to void his contract with the company. Sanjaya will be in the house! No David Archuleta. Crystal Bowersox is booked for a gig in Vermont that night, so she’s not available. Adam Lambert will likely be in Canada that week shooting Rocky Horror. They’re letting Clay Aiken back in the house after his nasty tweet-fest. Jax won’t be in the house. She’s signaled that she’s done with Idol, and maybe they’re done with her.
The three-night Grand Finale week kicks off on Tuesday, April 5 (8:00-9:30 PM ET/PT), with American Idol: American Dream. The can’t-miss, 90-minute retrospective will feature host Ryan Seacrest, current and former judges, former Idols and contestants and the behind-the-scenes team sharing their personal Idol memories, as they reflect on what the show has meant to them and how it became the groundbreaking series that it is today. In addition to Seacrest, original Idol judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson offer never-before-revealed stories about how Idol came to be. This is a very special, inside look at the journey that IDOL has taken viewers on during its 15-season run.
The following night, America’s most crucial – and last-ever – vote will take place when the remaining finalists battle it out live from Dolby Theatre on Wednesday, April 6 (8:00-9:00 PM live ET/tape-delayed PT). American Idol’s two-part Grand Finale will be filled with surprise appearances and star-studded performances on Thursday, April 7 (8:00-10:06 PM live ET/tape-delayed PT). The farewell celebration will continue, as Idol pays tribute to the past 15 seasons, the amazingly talented contestants and the millions of fans who called, tweeted, texted and championed their Idols, before the 15th and final American Idol is crowned.
